Skin testing for allergies

[KristaTX]

Well, I disagree. My GP did the blood titre test then sent me to an allergist with the results. When dealing with serology titres which identified specific allergens and the specific level of sensitivity within a range, no additional testing was needed or warranted, it was all right there in black and white.

Anne

There are many articles online about Skin Prick tests vs. blood tests. Just as an example, there's an article here http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1131913.

You said "Get a new doctor. Seriously. That type of allergy testing is totally old school." That was incorrect.

 

[KristaTX]

KristaTX- Just curious, but is there a reason why testing is done on the back? Is it because it would be harder for little ones to scratch if they felt the need?

That is a big part of it - it would be hard for even adults to remember not to scratch their itchy arms for 15 minutes. Plus the back offers the largest flat area of skin on the body, and is typically less sensitive to pain than other parts. It can be done on other parts, though.

 

[KristaTX]

Speaking of which, I have to have done Saturday as I work at a daycare. Anyone know what it's like? I've never had it done before.

It's no big deal - just one little injection which might hurt ever so slightly. There's an article here http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35813. You'll have to have it "read" a couple of days later to see if and how you react to the injection.

I see you are in Fort Worth . In case you don't know, we are having another DIS meet on November 12th http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1242557. We have them every 3 or 4 months. Come on out and eat, visit, make new Disney friends .

 

[CathrynRose]

Get a new doctor. Seriously. That type of allergy testing is totally old school.

They now can draw blood like they would for any routine bloodwork, send it out to a lab, and in ten days or so have the results from titer tests of any number of allergens.


Anne

Did not know this.

Now Im ticked I was scratched a few years ago. I HATE those tests.

 

[ducklite]

There are many articles online about Skin Prick tests vs. blood tests. Just as an example, there's an article here http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1131913.

You said "Get a new doctor. Seriously. That type of allergy testing is totally old school." That was incorrect.

The serum testing done on me was for both indoor and outdoor allergens, and included a variety of trees, grasses, fur/feathers from different species, molds, shrubs, and insects. I want to think it was the 115 most common non-food allergens.

Oddly enough I'm not alleric to the lovely cockroach, but am off the charts on fire ants.

Anne